Commercial roofs are constantly exposed to the elements. If you live in an area with a lot of sun and heat, your commercial roof could be more damaged than you realize.
Here are some things that can happen to your commercial roofing in the heat.
Chemical Substances Begin to Disintegrate
Commercial roofing systems can absorb heat and keep it from being reflected away. This can lead to chemical compounds in the materials becoming unstable. This will eventually cause your entire roof to collapse, which could lead to repairs that cost thousands of dollars or even a complete roof replacement.
It is difficult to see this damage with an untrained eye. Your only indication may be the next storm, when your roof begins to leak.
Temperature Fluctuation
Commercial roofing systems can expand and contract depending on the temperature. This will cause damage to the roof’s structure. This can cause fault lines within the protective system to form, which could lead to your roof falling in the future.
UV Radiation
As heat increases, UV levels tend to rise. Just as UV radiation is harmful to our skin, so are chemical bonds in commercial roofing systems. The radiation eventually causes the bonds to break and weaken. As the microscopic cracks multiply, the roofing system becomes less likely to fail.
What are You Able to Do to Protect Your Commercial Roofing from Heat Damage?
Protecting and conserving commercial roofs is best done in a proactive manner. This will help you avoid heat damage years later.
These are three steps that you can take in order to minimize the damage heat can do to commercial roofing:
- Have your roof inspected
Commercial roofs should be inspected twice a year, once in spring and again in autumn. Ask your local roofing contractor to schedule a professional inspection of your roof.
- Invest in Cool Roof Technology
There are many options for reflective properties in coatings, single-ply membranes, and EPDM rubber roofing. Cool roof technology can reflect up to 85{b3602aedda7eddcac0f30cb45be50c9323db3dd181feaf0656d29867293511b2}} of solar heat away from buildings, which can help to maintain a temperature close to the ambient air. This can reduce cooling costs up to 30{b3602aedda7eddcac0f30cb45be50c9323db3dd181feaf0656d29867293511b2}} depending on where you live.
- Ensuring Adequate Ventilation in Crawl Spaces and Attics
It improves airflow in the building’s area closest to the roof. When crawl spaces and attics are well ventilated it lowers the roof’s ability to absorb heat.
Talk to a local roofing expert to learn more about how to maintain your commercial roofing and protect it against heat damage. This is especially important if the area you live in experiences high temperatures.
This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing, one of the best roofing companies in Saint Petersburg, FL! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.